Automatic gas ignition and control.



L.G.I BARTLETT.V AUTOMATIC GASI IGNITION AND OONTBOL.

APPLIUATIOI vPILE!) SEPT. 24, 1909. 962,1 1 3.

Patented June 21, 1910.

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` 1 nl. s n M J Wal Ww 0 UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.l

LOUIS Gr. BARTLETT, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AUTO-LIGHTER 8c EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, CORPORATION OF- MAS- sAcHUsETTs.

i i v Specieation Aof Letters Patent.

vPatented June 21, 1910.

Application led September 24, 1909. Serial No. 519,344.v

To all 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS G. BARTLETT,

4 of Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Automatic Gas Ignition and Control, of

illustrate a construction embodying my invention, Figure l is a diagrammatic view of -the'lighting system showing the acetylene head lights connected with the usual charged gas tank with the controller or ignition mechanisml interposed therein and suitably mounted on the dashboard of the automobile. Fig. 2 is a front elevation yoit the controlling device showing the operating mechanism partlyin section with the handle locked in non-operating position. Fig. 3 is a central vertical sectlon of the controller with the operatinghandle in midway position showing the lighting circuit closed and the gas being turned on to the burners. Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 2 showingthe operating handle locked 1n posltion after the lights have been ignited allowmg the same to remain burning. -.Fig. 5 1s a top plan view of the controller with parts broken away and with the handle in theposition shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the acetylene burners showing the manner 'of mounting the electrodes. Fig. 7 is a central cross sectional view of the burner shown in Fig. 6.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

1 represents the usual charged acetylene gas tank located on .the running'board -or step 2 of an automobile and secured thereon by suitable straps 3.

4 and 5 represent the usual head lights carrying burners 6 and 7 respectively,

mounted therein, and connected with tank 1 through branch tubes 8 and 9 and the main conduit 10a and 10.

The usual needle valve 11 is located4 on tank 1 and is operated by the handle 12 to turn otf the supply of gas when the system is not in use.

board 14 and secured thereto by plate 57, nut l6and washer l5.

17 is a gas inlet port through the controller 13 and 18 is a gas outlet port from the same.

The main conduit '1051s comprised perfer-A ably of a piece of copper tubing, one end of the same being connected with valve 11 by a suitable union 19, the other end being connected with the inlet port 17 in the controller 13 by a union 20. The outlet port 18 is connected b a piece of rubber tubing forminga continuation of the main conduit with branches 8 and 9.

Mounted in the lower part of the body of the controller 13 is a threaded valve casing 62 having a `peripheral recess 6 9 with orifices 6 3 located therein and in position to connect the gas inlet port 17 with the inside of said casing.

64 is a port controlled by the valve 21 an adapted. to connect the inside of said valve casing 62 with the outlet ort 18.l

66 is a iber washer orming a seat for valve 21, the lower part orstem 70 of said valve being slidable in an opening 61 of the adjustable bushing which is threaded and adapted to be adjusted within the lower part of the valve casing 62 to regulate the tension of the spring 22 which is mounted over valve stem 70 and assists in holding valve 21 closed.

67 is a nut adapted to be screwed over the lower end of the valve casing 62 and against the lower part of the body of the controller 13 to prevent leakage of the gas.

A tapered stem extendsupwardly from valve 21 throughy the opening 64 and is adapted to regulate the flow of gas through port 6 4 by increasing or decreasing said opening as the valve is moved a greater or less distance from its seat on' 'fiber washers 66. Mounted in the top of the body vof the controller 13 is a holder 26a, the lower portion of which is threaded into the body of the controller, so that when said holder 26"l is turned in one direction, it is depressed within said body and raised when turned in the opposite direction. Centrall mounted within the holder is an adjustab e striker 50, the upper end of which is threaded into the holder 26 and carries a thumb nut 51 for adjust-ing the same, the spring 51a secured to the top of the holder 26a beingA .adapted to' retain the thumb nut 51 and 110 MUMMW mw.;

striker in adjusted position. The lower end of the striker, 50 projects beneath ,the holder 26a and is adapted upon 4the vclosed by the pressure of the gas assisted by l the handle 26 and is operated by the spring the spring 22, thereby'cutting o the flow of gas to the burners 6 and17.

s The handle 26 's pivoted at'27 into the bifurcated portion -27a of the holder 26aL and is adapted to operate the same. f

29 is a latch mounted on the lower part o-f 32 togpengage either oli the slots 31 or lock the holder 26a in oil `v`voron position respectively. f

55 is suitable packing against the stem of' the holder 26a by a stuftingnut 52 to prevent leakage of the gas.A

The contact supporting member 36 .-is

A f mounted on the face plate 57 and insulated therefrom by an insulating bushing y34 and wooden dashboardl 14,'--and secured .in Vposition by nuts -and-connectedfby a wire A with the primary winding of an induction v coil I having the usual interrupter or vibrator Y located in the primary circuit of the same. The opposite end. of lthe primary winding of the Acoil l is connected with one pole of battery 7 while the opposite pole of said battery is grounded on the copper tubing or'conduit 10.

C and E are wires connecting each end of the secondary winding ot coil "I with an insulated electrode on the burners 6 and 7 frespectively, each of said burners carrying a grounded electrode. 'completing the secondary circuit through the frame of th automobile as indicated bydotted lines The contact 36-carr1es a=recess 33" in which is mounted the ball' 37 held outwardly against the contracted opening in said re'- cess by means 'of a cup 38 and a spring 39, the sameformingwa yielding rolling contact. The member'361 is threadedwithin the'contact-36 andholds the spring 39 and ball 37 in position-therein. The holder 26 carries-the segmental arm 4() adapted to engage withthe ballcontact'- 37 intermediate the open and closed positions' of .valve 21 thereby` closing the primary circuit through the coil -I vand inducing a jump spark' at eachof the`burners 6, 7. The cup 38 be.- tween the `ball-'37 andspring 39 prevents the ball from wedging'into the open end of the spring, which would' n cause an unre- Y The gas is now ignited by the jump spark at liable contact. The ball contact 37 with the segmental ar'm 40 constitutes the switch for closing the circuit. Each burner comprises a lava tip 58 with the vusual gas vents thereinanda metal stem 49 securing the same to the lamp. l

41A and 42 are metal clamps adapted to be mounted over the vstem of` the burner and also over the insulated support holding the same in suitable position. o

44 is an electrode molded in the support 43 and lattened at 45 and 45 to prevent the electrode from turning therein. The lower' end of electrode 44 is threaded and the nuts 46 are mounted thereon forming a bindin post for either ,of the secondary wires C an as the case may be. The rib 59 on the insulating -support 43 is adapted to be mounted between the two" corresponding outer ends of. thelclamps 41 and 42 to position and prevent the same from turning therein. 'i

It isV found to be essential that the terminal electrodes shall be in and maintain an exact i alinement with the gas vents so that the spark willbe projected through the path of theescaping gas to ignite the same, as otherwise, ifv the electrodes were displaced from their maintained position, the gas would accumulate in the lamps and an explosion would i subsequently take place.

The electrode 47 is flattened at its lower end' at 53 and is grounded on and positionally mounted in the flat recess 54 in the clamp 42 which prevents the electrode from turning.

48 is a screw for securing the clam s 41 and 42 firmly around the burner itsel and also causes the clamp to firmly grip the insulated electrode 44 and the grounded electrode 47 in relative position to the burner to ignite the gas at the same.

The operation of the system is as follows: The handle 26 is lifted against the tension of spring32 throwing the latch 29 out of engagement with the slot 31 permitting the operator to move the handle from the oft position as shownin Fig. 2 to the intermediate position as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the segment 40 engaging the ball contact 37 closing the circuit through the coil I and causes a jump spark to be projected between the terminals at each burner 6 and 7. During this movement and subsequent to the initial engagement of the segment 40 with the ball contact 37, the striker 50 engages the upper end of the valve stem 65, said striker 50fbeing depressed by the movement of the threaded holder 26a; immediately upon the engagement of the striker 50 with the valve stem-65, the valve 21 is thrown from its seat vagainst the pressure .of the as and the tension of spring 22 allowing t e gas to be admitted from the inlet port/17, through port,

64 and outlet portf18 to the burners 6 and 7 the burners, which spark is maintained to insure the lighting of the gas by means of the segmental arm 40. .'lhc handle 26 is now moved in the same direction until the. latch 29 engags thc notch 3() (see Fig. 4) cutting out thespark by reason of the segmental arm 40 beine removed from contact 37. The handle 26 is now released locking the controller in on position and permitting the lights ,to remain burning in the lamps 4 and 5.

The handle 26 together -with the striker 50 and arm oi' lug 40 constitutes coacting mechanism for closin the circuit and for opening the valve to a low thegas to {iowlto the burners where it is ignited by the sparks passing between the electrodes. ,A

The flame at the burners 6 and 7 is adapted to be regulated from the seat of the automobileby operating thel thumb nut' 5l to raise or lower the striker 50, which, operating upon the uplper stemof valve 65` will raise or lower t e tapered portion of said valve stem 65 Within port 64. This willin-` `crease or decrease the volume of gas flowing through said port in the direction indicated by arrows, Fig. 3, permitting the proper regulation of the flame.

To extinguish the li hts from-the seat, the operator lifts the bangle 26 disengaging the latch 29 from the notch 3Q moving the handle l26 in a reverse direction from that heretofore. described', movement causing the striker 50 to withdia'vvrom Contact with the upper part of valve stern 65 permitting valve 21 to close by the ressure of the gas4 assisted by spring 22. he gas supply now being cut oii", the li hts are immediately extinguished at the il) valve 11 at the tank may be used to shut off the supply at the tank if required.

Having thusdescribed the nature of my inventio'n1-and.setr f orth a construction einbodying -thesame","what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an ignition attachment for gas burn-A ers, a divided clamp adapted to secured.

to the burner, a groundedelec 'ode ositionally gripped by Said-fcIamp, 1anjinsju 'ated electrode positionally gripped'. by said'cl'ainp in relation to said burner and said-groundedelectrode, and means for preventin` the turning or displacement of said electro es.

2. In an ignition attachment-'for gas burners, a divided clamp adapted to be clamped to the burner, a grounded-electrode adapted to be gripped to said burner by said clamp, an insulated electrode adapted to be positionally gripped by said clamp in relation, to said burner and said grounded elect-rode, and means for securing said clamptog'ether.

3. In an ignition'attachmentfor gas burners, a divided lamp ada ted to be clamped to the burner,` a grounde electrode .adaptedurners 6 and 7. Thel said clamp,

.to project through said restricted.

to be gripped to said burner by said clamp, an insulated electrode adapted to be positionally gripped by said clamp in relation positioning the saine within said clamp, an electrode secured within said insulating sup-- port, and project-ing means for preventing the turning of said electrode within said support.

5. In an ignition attachmentfor Oras vburnersaa separable clamp comprised o? two opposite members each of said members hav-l ing a semi-circular recess at each end thereof, one' end of said members adapted to clamp the gas burnerand the other end of said members adapted to clamp an insulating support,` a grounded electrode adapted to be positionally gripped by said members, an electrode mounted within said insulating support, and projecting means for holding said insulated electrode in positional 'relation to said grounded electrode 'andsaid' burner.

' 6. In an ignition attachment for'gas burners, a divided clamp comprising two sleeves, one of said sleeves adapted to lit over and clamp the gas burner, 'an insulating support adapted to be mounted within and clamped by the other of said sleeves, an insulated electrode mounted within said support, and a Grounded electrode gripped by 2both of saidl electrodes being relatively positioned to' ignite gas at the burner. 1

7. In an electrical contact,an insulated supporting member having an openino therethrough, said openingrestricted at ne end, a yielding contact: mounted in and dapted pening, a spring mounted behind saidcontact, and a plug adapted to secure said spring and said contact in position.

8. Iii an 'electrical contact, an insulated 'support-ing member having an opening there-I through, said opening restrictedv at one end! a yielding-contact mounted inand adapted to project through said restricted opening', a spring mounted behind said contact, a plug adapted to secure said spring and said contact in position, and means, for securing said insulated supporting4 member.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, one or more burners, a gas receptacle,j1a.gas' conduit bet-Ween said burner or iso v l tacle, a gas conduit. between said 'burner or y al burners and said .gas receptacle, a. valvellocated in said conduitfo'r admitting or cut' ting o tliesiipply of gasto or from said burner or. burners, a .normally open electric circuit, electrodes in said circuit and located at 'said burner or burners for the passage'of a spark and adaptedzto ignitethe gas at' said' burneror'burners, a switch adapted 'to con' 4 ,tr )l said circuit, 'and co-a'cting niechanism "for closing said switch and subsequei-1t-ly: en-

and op ening said valve' toY insure;

oa spark and adapted to ignite the v'ga'sat burner or'burners, a switch' adapted.' to control `aaid circuit, `(zo-acting lmechanism adaptedtofbe' operated. rin one direction'to clo'se said switch: and subsequently engage A andopen Asaid vai've whereby the gas` isig 'nitedfajt 'said burner or burners and to be operatedinthe reverse direction to release said valve to cut ot the flow of gas and e'xtinguish the saine. ll. In anapparatus of the character de ScIibed, one or more burners, a 'gas recepi burners andsaid gas receptacle, a valve located in said conduit for admittingl or'cutting oil'- the supply of gas to or from said ,burner or-burners, a spring normallyhold'- l 'ing said valve 4closed, a normali, -open elec- ,tric circuit, electrodes in said circuit and located 4at said burner or burners for thepas sage of a spark and adapted to ignite the' gas at said burner orburners, a Switch adaptedto control said circuit, and co-acting 4mechanism for opening said valve againstA to turn on the' .the pressurel of said sprin gas and for operating said switch to close 'the circuit 4and light the gas at said burnerl .o r burners.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, one or. more burners, a gas recep- .tac1e, a gas conduit between said burner. or burners and said, gasreceptacle, a valve lo- 1n sald conduitfor admitting or cut- A .,.tingptfthe supply ofgas to or from said burner or burners, a spring normally hold- I ing vsaid valve closed, a removable cage forming the seat for said yvalve and holding said v alve and said spring, -a normally-open -electric circuit, 'electrodes in .said circuit and i located at said burner or. burners for the 1 passage of a spark and adapted to ignite the gas at said burner or burners, a switch adapted tocontrol said circuit, and co-actin g mechanism for opening said' valve against the pressure of said spring to turn on the ga's land :forV operating said switch to close the circuit and light 'the= gasatjsaid burner or`b1 '1rners.` V "5 f .l -V

` *13; In an' apparatus io .thecharacterdescribed, one'or more burners, a gas recep- -taclefa gas conduit between said burner o r 4burners and said" as receptacle, ia valve -located in said Acon uit for admitting or cutyting'of the supply of gas to or-,roin said burner'or burners and normally held closed lunder'the pressure of the gas in said-conduit, a normallyopen electric circuit', relectrodes in saidv circuit 'and located rat' said burner or burners for' 'the passage-of ,a lspark and' adapted4 to Vignite' the gas atfsaid burner 0r burners, a 'switch adapted to' `control said circuits, mechanism fior' opening A'said :valve against its closing pressure toturn onthe gas and for operating said Switchs-'to close thecircuitto light the gas'` at said burner-or burners, ia 'handle'pivoted 'to' said mechanism for operating fthesame'fand a latch carried said 'handle for :holding Asaid 'valve in open or closed posititm.;A f

1 4. In 4an apparatus 'ofthe character described, vone' orinore burners, a gas receptacle, a gascondut between said burner or" burners and. said gas receptacle, a val-'ve locatedI in said conduit or; admitting or cut-- ting off the'supply" of to lor from said burner o rl burners and normallyheld' closed -under ressure, a normally-open electric cirat saidfburner or burners 'f or the passage of a s ark @iid adaptedjtoignite the'gas at sai .burner or burners, a switch adapted to control said circuit,' 'and' (io-'acting 'mechanism for engaging and 'opening said'valve to turn on the gas and or operating said switch to close he circuit to"1ight` the gas .at `the. burner or burners.

' 15. In' n apparatus of the character de'-' scribed, one or more burners,`a as receptacle, a gas,conduitv betweensaid urner or burners' and' said gas lreceptacle, a Vvalve/located in said conduit for admitting or cutting olf thesupply of gas tojoi from said burner or' burners and normally heldelosed under pressure, 'a normally operi electr1c 'c1r cuit, electrodes. in said." circuit' and' located at'said burner olf burners fr'the pafssage of a spark andadapte'd to: ignite the gas at said burner .or burners; a switch adapted' to control 'said "circuit, and c'f'racting mechanism f rj opening saidwalv'e against 'itsclosing pressure to turnonfthef gas and' ouoperat'- ing said switchto' clsethe circuitto' light ,the'gas at's'aidburner orburn'ers'. f

116; In yairapparatus of the character de-A scribed, one or more burnersj'a as receptacle, a gas conduit between sai burner or burners and said gas receptacle, a valve located in said conduit for admittin or cutting off the supply of gas to or burner or burners and normally held closed under pressure, a normally open electric circuit, electrodes in said circuit and located at said burner or burners for the passage of a spark and adapted to ignite the gas at said burner or burners, a switch adapted to control said circuit, and co-acting mechanism forv engaging and opening said lValve against its closing pressure to turn on the gas and for operating said switch to close the circuit tolight the gas at said burner or burners.-

17. In an apparatus of the character def scribed, one or more burners, 4a gas receptacle, a gas conduit between said burner or burners and said gas receptacle, a valve located in said conduit for admitting or cutting off the supply of gas to or from said burner or burners and normally held closed under pressure, a striker `for opening said valve, a normally-open electric circuit, electrodes in said circuit and located at said burner or burners for the passage of a spark and adapted to ignite the gas at said burner or burners, a switch adapted to control said circuit, and a handle for operating said striker to open said valve against its closing pressure to turn on the gas and for operating said switch to close the circuit to light the gas at said burner or burners.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, one or more burners, a gas recepta.-

cle, a gas conduit between said burner or burners and said gas receptacle, a Valve located in said conduit for admitting or cutting off the supply of gas to or from said burner or burners and normally held closed under pressure, an adjustable striker :for

opening said valve, a normally open electric.

ite the gas at said 19. In' an apparatus of the character described, one or more burn-ers, -a gas receptacle, a gas conduit between said burner or burners and said as receptacle, a valvelocated in said con uit for admitting 0r cutting off the supply of gas to or from said burner or burners and normally held closed under pressure, a cage holding said valve and forming a seat therefor, a normally-open electric circuit, electrodes in said circuit and located at said burner or burners for the passage of a spark and adapted to ignite the gas at said burner or burners, a switch for controlling said circuit, and co-acting mechanism for opening said Valve against its closing pressure to turn on the gas and for operating said switch to close the circuit and light the gas at said burner or burners.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, one or more burners, a gas receptacle, a gas conduit between said burner or burners and said as receptacle, a valve l0- cated in said con uit for admitting or cutting ofi' the supply of gas to or from said burner or burners and normally held closed` under pressure, a removable cage holding said Valve andv forming a seat therefor, a normally-open electric circuit, electrodes in said circuit and located at said burner or burners for the passage of a spark and vadapted to ignite the gas at said burner or burners, a switch for controlling said circuit, and co-acting mechanism for opening said valve against its closing pressure `to turn on the gas and for operating said switch to close the circuit and light the gas at said burner or burners.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specication in the presence of two subscribing'witnesses, this eighteenth day of September A. D. 1909.

LOUIS G. BARTLETT.

Witnesses:

A. L. MESSER, ARTHUR F. RANDALL. 

